Is there such a thing as a jinxed tank?

[Corinna]

Hi there,

I am a novice freshwater fish tank owner with little success.

I have a 70L Mirrabello tank(18.5G) that I acquired 2nd hand a year ago . The only fish I am able to keep alive are 5 Tetras and 1 Gourami.... who is now sick with an odd cotton like growth on its side. I just can't keep any new additions to the tank alive. Some only last a week.

I test and carefully change my water 20% weekly-fortnightly, keep my light on a 10hr timer, run a Hydra 20 internal filter, have a bubble stone going when the lights are on, give no more than a pinch of food every other day and keep the temperature range between 26-28C (79-83F).

I have not been able to keep alive any: Angel Fish, Siamese algae eaters, Sharks, Mollies or bristle noses.

My Api readings are usually: PH-6, Nitrate, Ammonia, Nitrite - 0. I keep 1 real plant an a host of artificial ones.

I really need some advise and guidance.

 

[cgthebeast]

Hi there,



I am a novice freshwater fish tank owner with little success.



I have a 70L Mirrabello tank(18.5G) that I acquired 2nd hand a year ago . The only fish I am able to keep alive are 5 Tetras and 1 Gourami.... who is now sick with an odd cotton like growth on its side. I just can't keep any new additions to the tank alive. Some only last a week.



I test and carefully change my water 20% weekly-fortnightly, keep my light on a 10hr timer, run a Hydra 20 internal filter, have a bubble stone going when the lights are on, give no more than a pinch of food every other day and keep the temperature range between 26-28C (79-83F).



I have not been able to keep alive any: Angel Fish, Siamese algae eaters, Sharks, Mollies or bristle noses.



My Api readings are usually: PH-6, Nitrate, Ammonia, Nitrite - 0. I keep 1 real plant an a host of artificial ones.



I really need some advise and guidance.

Ph is a little on the basic side so it could be that I believe. Most of the fish you just discribed bring on your tank aren't not suited for that small if a tank any way. Angelfish at least need a 36g unless your doing a species only and even then I don't feel comfortable with them in a 20g. Lights shouldn't be on for more the 8hrs either but that's not killing your fish. If your Parms are equally 0 then it's not cycled. There should always be a bit of nitrate left over (very little like less then .5ppm) an your constant temp is way to high. I keep mine around 75-78, only 80 when I had a batch of tetras catch Ick.

 

[Delapool]

Welcome

One other would be to test your tap water and make sure it is roughly temp matched when doing a water change. Testing lets you know what the starting point is compared to your aquarium but it's also worth a check on water quality anyways.

 

[Corinna]

Cheers for the reply and welcome Delapool. I use 2 digital thermometers when changing water but didn't think to check its quality. Good tip. Will do.

 

[rlederer]

Ph is a little on the basic side so it could be that I believe. Most of the fish you just discribed bring on your tank aren't not suited for that small if a tank any way. Angelfish at least need a 36g unless your doing a species only and even then I don't feel comfortable with them in a 20g. Lights shouldn't be on for more the 8hrs either but that's not killing your fish. If your Parms are equally 0 then it's not cycled. There should always be a bit of nitrate left over (very little like less then .5ppm) an your constant temp is way to high. I keep mine around 75-78, only 80 when I had a batch of tetras catch Ick.

Actually, pH is on the acid side but not bad. So it might be ammonia or nitrate that are causing the problem - maybe too small a tian.

 

[cgthebeast]

Actually, pH is on the acid side but not bad. So it might be ammonia or nitrate that are causing the problem - maybe too small a tian.

My bad, I always get those switched